Cavalry Coming For Run Defense
January 13th, 2022
The Bucs not long ago prided themselves on their run defense. They would stop anyone, anywhere.
Of late? Not so much.
No team wants to be spinning its wheels entering the playoffs. And the Bucs run defense in the past two games has been sad. It’s one thing to give up 150 and 110 yards on the ground, respectively, in the final two games. But what makes the final two weeks concerning is that it came against two trash teams, the lowlife Jets and the Stinking Panthers.
The cavalry may be coming.
The Bucs expect outside linebackers Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul to return for the first playoff game Sunday against the Eagles. And maybe, just maybe, Lavonte David will play, too.
When the Bucs beat the Eagles on Thursday Night Football in Week 6, Philly became the first team to run for 100 yards on the Bucs this season. Now, the Eagles have transformed themselves into one of the best running teams in the league.
The last time the Eagles were held below 100 yards rushing came the week before they played the Bucs. The Stinking Panthers held them to 91 yards on the ground in a 21-18 Philadelphia win.
Presented the idea that the Eagles might gouge the Bucs on the ground Sunday during a segment on “This Just In,” seen on BSPN, former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck waved off the dire warning for the Bucs.
“That’s true,” Hasselbeck acknowledged of the Eagles’ run game. “But I don’t think it is a bad matchup for the Bucs. Yes [the Eagles] can run the ball and with their quarterback involved in the run game it does make it easier to run the football, because that’s an extra [runner] you have to account for.
“But, listen, Tampa is good and solid on the run. I know it hasn’t been the same recently. But they are getting guys back. A lot of the runs that people have had success with [against the Bucs] have been perimeter-type runs. [The Bucs] are getting perimeter players back.”
And that would be Shaq and JPP. Shaq is underrated against the run and JPP is damn solid.
Hasselbeck said Jalen Hurts’ passing is the Eagles’ weak link. Hasselbeck thinks that the return of JPP and Shaq will force the Eagles into throwing situations just enough to pull out a win.
Yes, the cavalry is coming.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:02 am
The fact that they need the Calvary to save them is disturbing…actually the inconsistent play of the offense and defense is disturbing …special teams has been dependable however
January 13th, 2022 at 8:03 am
WE are a tough team to play at home. We are 6 and 1 here in Tampa lately, and I expect we will beat the Eagles, again.
‘They are gonna try to run on us, that’s how they play, but we have our guys coming back to stop them.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:09 am
I’m really looking at Devin it’s good to have Shaq back but really need Devin to have the discipline to stay on his assignments and not abandon his gap trying to chase plays that aren’t there.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:11 am
I’m not looking for much out of jpp rotator cuff injuries do not heal on their own but Anthony nelson is a pretty good run defender so feel good with him and shaq out there if jpp still looks terrible.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:33 am
In this case, the calvary is F troop.
JPP is old and damaged goods. Shaq is wearing a knee brace, negating his speed. Devin White is an embarrassment. Even if he suits up, LVD is injured and not in football shape.
So yeah Joe, color me impressed.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:33 am
As long as it’s not the F Troop cavalry…
January 13th, 2022 at 8:33 am
Biff beat me to it…
January 13th, 2022 at 8:41 am
When the 11 on the field look toward their sideline….that is the ONLY cavalry coming to help them !
January 13th, 2022 at 8:42 am
Biff, have to agree.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:53 am
An optimist by nature, it’s easy to relish in the playoff greatness of TB12. He needs help from Vaughn, Scotty underneath, and Perriman. We all know Gronk will be there. Lenny will be back but will we get playoff Lenny?
We can not lose a playoff game to the Eagles at home!
January 13th, 2022 at 8:54 am
I’ve said this all season…..JPP is still extremely valuable in the run game because he knows his assignments and understands the game. JTS is running around out there lost….always chasing from behind due to poor angles and running at everything full speed. DEs have to be patient similar to RBs….you cant go full throttle at everything all the time.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:54 am
I hope JPP is much better than what he has shown so far this year. He has looked awful.
January 13th, 2022 at 9:17 am
We REALLY need Shaq and Lavonte David back. I mean REEEEAAAAALLLLYYYY.
PRAY that happens and they are near full strength/speed!!
Our wagons have been circled long enough, and he’ll yeah, it’s time for the Cavalry to arrive.
January 13th, 2022 at 11:55 am
LVD and his brain and leadership are better on one leg than Kevin Minter is on three.
January 13th, 2022 at 12:03 pm
If they win the toss maybe they should take the ball and try to score right out of the gate.
January 13th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Give me Shaq and JPP back, and we should be OK with Minter, at least against Philly. It’s when opponents can get to the perimeter that KM51’s lack of speed gets exposed.